Big Bill Broonzy - The Midnight Special: Live In Nottingham 1957 - LP [ Record ]

Vinyl LP pressing. Born in Mississippi, "Big Bill Broonzy" - the name refers to his 6' 6" physical stature - remains largely unsung as far as a household name, despite recording several hundred songs, many of which he wrote. This solo performance captures Big Bill's affable personality and ability to hold the attention of an appreciative audience with his storytelling, acoustic guitar licks, and a strong singing voice that leaves an indelible impression that this man had experiences in the fields, the factories, and the railroads. The 1957 Nottingham set list largely consists of folk standards including "The Midnight Special," and "This Train," on which you can hear a little Elvis Presley swing, as Broonzy's introduction slyly alludes to some "rockin' and rollin'" cultural appropriation; we know what came first. Three months after this concert, Big Bill learned he had lung cancer, to which he succumbed at 65 years old in August 1958.